Battle of Messines Centenary Commemorated by Prince William and Princess Astrid

At the Island of Ireland Peace Park in Messines, Belgium on Wednesday, the Duke of Cambridge and Princess Astrid of Belgium commemorated 100 years of the Battle of Messines Ridge. The Taoiseach of Ireland, Enda Kelly, was also present.

The Battle was the first where Irish soldiers from both the Unionist and Nationalists sides fought side-by-side.

Prince William and Princess Astrid attended the commemoration service, before laying wreaths at the Round Tower in memory of the soldiers who lost their lives in the week-long battle.

The party then moved on to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Wytschaete.

Filed under Austria-Hungary, Belgium, The United Kingdom
Tagged Anniversary, House of Austria-Este, Ireland, Prime Minister Kelly of Ireland, Princess Astrid of Belgium, The Duke of Cambridge, World War I.